Workshop Meeting Is Hard Work
By Doug La Rocque
Right from the start, the Monday, January 27 Workshop meeting of the Grafton Town Board was marked by a number of disagreements, particularly between newly elected Council Member Frank Lewandusky III and Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum. Grafton’s Bookkeeper Maureen Seel opened the meeting by explaining the bookkeeping process and how these books are balanced. Mr. Lewandusky stated that while at his recent Town Council training, he was told the NYS Comptroller’s Office wanted budget transfers down each month. He thought the Town’s current practice of making any needed transfers at the end of the year was illegal. Supervisor Gundrum immediately took exception to that, stating the procedure was indeed legal. Ms. Seel added that while the Comptroller would prefer monthly transfers, they have also stated the Town’s practice is acceptable. Ms. Seel further stated by leaving the lines in the red, so to speak, it makes it easier at budget season to see what is being overspent or not.
Where’s The Ambulance Money?
The town has been waiting for over two years for the $50,000 grant obtained by former State Senator Kathy Marchione, to purchase a new ambulance for the Grafton Rescue Squad. That vehicle has since been aquired and in service for many months. At the board’s October meeting last year, Ms. Gundrum said everything had been approved by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the agency charged with doling out grant monies, and she expected the check any day now. It’s now January and any day now has not yet come.
Mr. Lewandusky reported he had been in contact with DASNY, and they reportedly told him, they were just waiting on a request from the town to have the money transferred. Supervisor Gundrum countered that the request has been submitted several times, and was at a loss to explain why DASNY has not received it. She said it would be sent once again.
Youth Director Resolution
Mr. Lewandusky, who seemed to be running the meeting, then brought up the resolution that was tabled earlier this month, about hiring a Youth Director at $5,500 yearly, to oversee all aspects of the youth programs, and including the Summer Arts and Crafts component. Town residents in attendance, also became involved in the discussion, some questioning the director’s salary and how much did that leave for programing. Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey then reminded the board it has an additional $750 to put toward the programs, as he was donating his $1,500 annual pay equally between the youth and senior programs.
Residents also questioned if the Board even had the authority to vote on the matter at the so-labeled “workshop” meeting. Mr. Lewandusky said he asked that question of the Association of Towns, who he says responded that a meeting is a meeting, no matter what it is labeled, and the Board did have the authority to conduct a vote.
In the end, the Board voted three to one to approve the resolution and start a job search for a director. Council Member Steve Beaudry stating he felt the board needed to “get the ball rolling,” while Supervisor Gundrum cast the lone dissenting vote, indicating she would rather see the decision tabled once again until February for more discussion. Council Member Jeff Wagar was absent.
Repealing a Controversial Hiring
At the previous Board’s December meeting a resolution to hire former Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck back as a five hour a week consultant to the town’s Highway Department was approved by a four to one vote. At the time, Council Member Jodie Deschaine was the dissenting vote. That resolution stated the Town would continue to pay Mr. Hasbrouck’s health insurance cost through April of this year, in lieu of any other payment.
A resolution reversing that hire was introduced at the regular January meeting, but also tabled because board members were not given information about it five business days in advance, as is required by a 2016 resolution. Ms. Deschaine was now joined by council members Beaudry and Lewandusky in voting to repeal the previous resolution effective immediately and re-instating Mr. Hasbrouck’s $250 a month health insurance contribution, as was part of a years old agreement with then Highway Department members. Mr. Hasbrouck is the last former employee to be covered under that clause. Supervisor Gundrum again cast the only nay vote.
Bringing Down The House
The board did vote unanimously to approve a resolution that starts the demolition process of the former Gardy residence on South Road. The building has been deemed unsafe and the countdown now begins for the late Ken Gardy’s survivors to make their own arrangements for demolition, or the Town will do it. The Gardys have 30 days in which to comply.
Buying A Forestry Head
Highway Superintendent Jarod Bouchard asked the board for permission to spend $12,000 to purchase a used forestry head for the excavator, to cut back trees and brush along town roads, something many residents have ben asking for. He indicated that hiring a private company for just three weeks of work cost over $9,000, and the savings associated with the purchase was obvious. Mr. Lewandusky asked for the town code book, to see if such a purchase without bidding was legal. As all four board members present gathered around the book, it was determined that permission to purchase simply needed a motion, and under the sole provider clause in town code, the purchase was legal, and did not need to go out to bid. The Board then approved Mr. Bouchard’s request with all Board members in favor.
The Highway Superintendent also spoke about the need to lease, not purchase, two new trucks, one being a pickup. He indicated the current equipment is “old and tired” and that yearly repair costs amount to what a lease payment would be. He wants a program that turns equipment over every three years, before warranties run out and while they still have trade-in value. Mr. Bouchard said he was putting the final numbers together and would formally present the Board with his proposal at a later date.